Quality Initiative Focuses on Cellulitis and the Problem of Diagnostic Error
Cellulitis is a common infection that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues and results in significant morbidity and associated healthcare costs. In fact, more than $3.7 billion were spent on 240,000 inpatient admissions for cellulitis in the United States in 2004 (Solucient, 2006). In addition to these costs, more than 14.5 million individuals were treated in offices, hospital outpatient clinics, and emergency departments for skin infections in 2005 (Hersh, Chambers, Maselli, & Gonzales, 2008).
ABQAURP News
January/February 2014 Quality Conundrums Lynn Helmer, MD, MBA, CHCQM • ABQAURP Diplomate since 1998 • http://www.drdnj.com Healthcare.gov — A Quality Conundrum? Regardless of your politics, we can all agree that leveraging technology in some way to enhance the quality and decrease the cost of health care is a logical approach. Although disagreement remains, recent … Continued
Three Pillars of Clinical Alarm Safety
Management of medical device alarms has been a persistent challenge for decades (ECRI Institute, 1974). Histories of surveys, papers, and other initiatives to improve alarm safety have been compiled (Clark, 2005; ACCE Healthcare Technology Foundation, 2006; ECRI Institute, 2008), and yet the problem persists.
Infection Control and the Built Environment: No Easy Answers
For more than 160 years, healthcare providers have understood that aspects of the built or physical environment of hospitals may deter healing or cause patients to develop new health problems, including infections, even as they seek help for existing illness and injuries.
Nursing Analytics: Using Cost and Quality Information to Improve Patient Care
Patients in today’s healthcare system benefit from expert caregivers who are supported by advancing technology. The majority of patient care is provided by nurses, who comprise the largest percentage of the healthcare workforce, with more than 3 million nurses practicing in the United States (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2013). Health information technology allows nurses to better monitor patient status, communicate with patients, collaborate with team members, evaluate available care options, and determine best practices.
How Nurse Informaticians Are Transforming Clinical Care
In 1992, Microsoft released Windows 3.1, Johnny Carson made his final appearance as host of The Tonight Show, Bill Clinton was elected president, and the American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) was founded.
Patient- and Family- Centered Care: Advancing Quality and Safety with Bedside Rounding
Principles of patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) have been ingrained in American culture since the days when house calls were made by the fictional Marcus Welby, MD, and the real Dr. W. Mayo (Clapesattle, 1990). It would be unusual for a modern medical practitioner to argue against these principles, but gradually over time, the practical application of patient- and family-centered care in clinical settings faded.
ISMP: U-500 Insulin Safety: It’s Time to Rethink Safe Use Practices
As the obesity epidemic continues and insulin resistance problems worsen, larger doses of insulin are more frequently required to meet glycemic goals. This has led to an increased use of U-500 insulin when dose requirements exceed 200 units per day.
Health IT & Quality: WhatsApp: Lessons to Engage Patients
Information technology has achieved some amazing changes in consumer behavior. Over the last 20 years, companies have decreased their costs simply by transferring the work previously done by employees to consumers.
News: Action Items Aid in Making Patient, Family Engagement a Core Healthcare Value
A recent report from the National Patient Safety Foundation’s (NPSF) Lucian Leape Institute, Safety Is Personal: Partnering with Patients and Families for the Safest Care, advocates for patients and families to be active partners in all aspects of their care, as well as in healthcare design and delivery and in policy development and research efforts.